Ever since author Lewis Carroll penned the iconic children’s book, ‘Alice in Wonderland’, tea parties have taken on a more mystical, magical and whimsical feeling.
“Up above the world you fly, like a tea tray in the sky. Twinkle twinkle…” is one of the most famous lines from the eccentric Mad Hatter character, and it’s this twinkling high tea theme that would make for a truly unforgettable baby shower. In fact, this theme is considered so chic, Martha Stewart has created a range of recipes just for a baby shower tea party, which we will share with you.
The vision for the tea party baby shower
Macaroons, small sandwiches, savoury pies, creamy scones, sweets, a diverse range of tea, and of course, glasses of bubbles for friends and family to toast to the special occasion – it’s a recipe for a spectacular baby shower!
It may seem like a lot to cover, but to make things as smooth as butter, we will cover everything you need to know to throw such a theme shower, from invitations to baby gifts.
Tea bag invitations
Invite guests by printing out your date, time and venue onto pieces of paper in the shape of tea string tag. Pierce a tiny hole in the top, loop string through the hole, and tie it around any flavour tea bag of your choice.
It’s an economic way to create invitations since many tea bag boxes come with around 20 inside, so a few boxes should cater to your complete guest list. You can select peppermint, green, chamomile or any other concoction of your taste, and treat guests to a bag for a hot cuppa to set the sweet tone for the party weeks in advance.
Elegant high tea decor
Look for a diverse range of platters, cake stands, muffin trays and tiered plate stands for displaying your delicious spread. A vintage vibe can be enhanced by using lace doilies, antique cutlery, embroidered table linen and floral-print ceramic tea cups and pots. For a sleek, contemporary look, opt for glass and steel tea pots with monochromatic saucers and cups.
A jewellery box with separate compartments is a great way to display tea leaves, adding a toothpick with a sign of the flavour. Guests can smell the aroma of the leaves and then pour themselves a cup from the provided brewing pots. Mix and match your tea sets for a charming ‘Mad Hatter’ look.
Scrumptious food
If you’re an excellent baker and dessert chef, whip up your own pastel coloured French macaroons or a batch of bite-sized cookies. Cookie-cutters come in shapes ideal for a baby shower, such as a milk bottle, but you can also make tea cup-shaped cookies.
Martha Stewart shares a recipe for canapes – a staple for any high tea, but with a modern botanical twist. She suggests spreading plain (or smoked-salmon) cream cheese onto soft sandwich bread, then using snipped chives or thinly sliced scallions as green flower stems. Top with flakes of smoked salmon as petals, or for a luxurious touch, use round roe or salmon-caviar as the blooms.
Gifts perfect for the theme
Whether you’re wondering what to bring to the event for the baby, or a parent keen to invest in decorations that will be practical and useful in the months to come once the baby arrives, the My Singlet Sundaes – High Tea Pink gift is tailor-made for this theme. Singlets, socks and baby bibs are wrapped like whipped cream in high-quality silicone tea cup moulds. The Trio Pastel Blue resembles cupcakes.
These would be adorable decorations on the high tea table, but just as lovely wrapped in a parcel for the parents-to-be.
Bon appetit! Enjoying your twinkling tea trays.